Cricket: PQA, KESC to fight for promotion

Hamza wrapped up the tail with four for seven to bowl out PTV for just 97 in 31.2 overs. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Rising left-arm pacer Mir Hamza and Tabish Khan took four wickets each to bowl KESC to a nine-wicket win against PTV and also take their side to the final of the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II.

PTV started the day on 14 for one in their second-innings but Tabish Khan destroyed their top-order, taking four for 30. Hamza then wrapped up the tail with four for seven to bowl out PTV for just 97 in 31.2 overs. Set a target of 47, KESC eased past the finish line in just 7.2 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

“I am delighted to have destroyed the opposition as this performance will help my chances of being part of Pakistan’s under-19 team for the World Cup,” the 18-year-old Hamza told The Express Tribune.

In the final, KESC will face Port Qasim Authority (PQA) who defeated Omar Associates on first-innings lead after the match ended in a draw in Faisalabad.

While reaching the final was good news for both teams, the announcement that the bowling as well as the U19 trials will clash with the match dates remained a worry. The final will be played in Faisalabad from April 29 but KESC’s Tabish Khan and PQA’s Mohammad Sami are both named in the list of 12 bowlers to be part of the camp.

“We’ll seek permission for Sami to play in the final because he is our main bowler,” said PQA coach Rashid Latif after the club officials showed their reluctance to let go of their fast-bowler.

Meanwhile, KESC coach Zafar Ahmed was ‘left confused about what to do’.

KESC and PQA have been denied the right to play in the premier first-class division by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In 2007-08, PQA won grade II and in 2008-09 KESC won the title. However, the PCB put a ‘ban’ on promotion during those seasons.